St Mary's Glacier, Colorado

[JE]

Maybe this will cool ya off: At the top of St Mary's glacier
{Elev. 13,000' plus}there exists a deep glacial cave, which is constantly feeding runoff to the lake at the bottom of the glacier. We explored the ice cave one labor day & found both bear & cougar droppings deep inside. It was a cold labor day week end, & we had pitched our tents near the lake. We were there to ski, but had also come across the cave on top, which blew our minds. I was new to caving, & really hadn't even thought of diving the lake at that time. Today, I wonder if there may be a vent beneath the lakes floor, leading to more passageway. Maybe there is someone out there who can elate us-! It would be a cold dive indeed, not to mention the altitude above 9,100'-! The skiing was awesome, & the CU ski team often used the glacier for summer training. Anyways, just thought this might stir some interest-!
Have a cold beer-! It'll make ya more talkative- 8)

Yak

[rchrds]

That's cool- I knew about the ice cave that forms and melts near the lake at the bottom- knew nothing about the one at the top. I doubt there is any sort of vent at the lake bottom- that would be very abnormal for that sort of geology, but the lake is being fed through water flowing at the base of the glacier, and through channels in the ice (perhaps that is what you meant?)

[JDR]

I spent a little time playing around in Colorado. The fast water was a little too much for me. St. Mary's was out of my league. Good luck to whomever hits that hole. I'm scheduled to be in Colorado in December for some training and again in February.

Anybody have a good auger and some lines? I wouldn't mind spending a few hours in the lake looking for some interesting hydrologic anomalies.

I'm sure we could squeeze in a day at the beginning for some "research".

Also, if anybody is coming to Alaska this winter, I'll hook up some tickets at Alyeska for as cheap as I can.

Cheers,
Jamie

[JE]

St. Mary’s Glacier is an hour's drive from Denver up I-70. The glacier begins at an elevation of some 10,500 feet. Studded with a number of alpine lakes, this is the terminus of Fall River Canyon Rd that winds up from the town of Idaho Springs.

http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/...520535ab20.jpg

http://cavediver.net/photopost/data/...e5fc762d0b.jpg

j.